Bagels / Covrigi

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine the yeast with 1 cup of flour.

2. Add the warm water, 3 Tbs sugar and salt. Beat the mixture for 3–4 minutes, constantly scraping the sides of the bowl.

3. Slowly add in the flour, as not all the flour may be needed. Stir until the dough becomes stiff and pulls together.

4. Place onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth.

5. Place dough in a large, lightly oiled bowl and cover the bowl with a cloth. Place in a warm area and let it rest for 15 minutes. The dough should rise a bit.

6. Remove the dough from the bowl and divide into 12 portions. Shape each portion into smooth balls, punching a hole in the center of each with a floured finger. Pull gently to enlarge the hole.

7. Place the bagels onto a cookie sheet, cover and let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.

8. Preheat oven to medium-high.

9. While bagels rise, boil 3–4 liters of water and one teaspoon of sugar in a large pot.

10.   Reduce the heat and let simmer. When the bagels are ready add a few to the water – don’t over crowd the pot. Simmer for about 7 minutes for smaller bagels and about 10 minutes for larger ones. Flip once while they are cooking. Drain on a paper towel.

11.   Place boiled bagels on an un-greased baking sheet and bake in a medium-high temperature oven for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

 

Notes: As everyone knows, cream cheese is the best thing to serve with bagels. Lucky for us, familiar cream cheese brands are available at most large supermarkets. There is also a Romanian type of cream cheese entering the market called brânză grasa. If cream cheese is not to be found at your site – any of the cheese spreads (with or without herbs) make a good spread, as are jam, butter, peanut butter or nutella.

                                              

Variations: You can incorporate flavorings into or onto your bagels. You can add things like raisins, poppy seeds, sunflower seeds, cinnamon sugar, sun dried tomatoes, toasted onions or garlic, herbs or grated cheese into the dough when you are adding flavor. Toppings like onion flakes, red pepper flakes, grated cheese, spices, toasted oats, coconut, sugar, should be sprinkled on after the bagels are boiled, but before they are baked. To make Bagel Pizzas: cut your prepared bagel in half, spread it with seasoned tomato sauce, or simple tomato slices sprinkled with basil. Cover with grated cheese and bake in a hot oven until cheese is melted.